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SNL: Don Draper’s Guide to Picking up Women. (Step 4 is Key)
by Waylon Lewis, elephantjournal.com on Oct 27, 2008
I have no idea what this has to do with “the mindful life,” elephantjournaldotcom’s editorial mission…unless you say that this is sorta about women, who make up 85% of our readership…and bc it’s funny and true (particularly number 4), which you could say are two key qualities of spiritual enlightenment…and, simply, bc it features my idol Jon Hamm, the actor who plays Don Draper on my favorite teevee show, Mad Men…
…And bc I ran into an acquaintance of mine the other night at White Space who’s one of Boulder’s leading playboys, and we got into a convo about dating and when or when not to settle down and why most folks get married and such, and he recommended I read a book about the Laws of Seduction. While I might not want to learn how to be a professional lady-killer…I do love women, plural…and yet I do want a quality relationship, and love children, and I don’t want to be an old man when I do “settle for the best I’m gonna get,” as he put it.
So when do you know? What’s a good age to retire from bachelorhood? I’ve always said JFK got married at 36, and JFK’s good enough for me. But, then, he had tons of affairs and I don’t see the point of getting married if you’re going to continue to want to be with other women. And how do you ever turn that particular faucet off?
Empty of answers, all I can say is that I know when I meet someone special my many questions will fall away. And if they don’t, I’ll keep following Don Draper’s Guide until I’m a lonely old boy. Enjoy:
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Fun video! I think it’s unfortunate however that we still have a word like “bachelor” without it’s feminine equivalent. No one uses “bachelorette” and instead you have a woman who’s just “single.” And there are many more negative connotations when it is used in the context of the feminine, the sad, clock-ticking and often questioning ones. No one questions a bachelor. There is an assumption that he can get plenty of dates and when it’s time to settle, will have no problem doing so, and he has an air of mystery like your Don Draper. But with women, it seems to be more like “why is she single?” (what is she doing wrong) and what’s she going to do? Just my thoughts and experiences. I’ll start trying to work “fierce goddess” into our language for this single gal.
lindsey,
dont worry too much about it, being called a batchelor isn’t exactly the greatest compliment in the world. and it does wear thin. especially as a man ages, say into the mid 30’s, it ain’t that cool for him to be single either–no matter what word you use.
It’s just a euphamism for playing the field. I think the commensurate one for women is ‘dating.’ as in, i’m just dating right now. maybe it’s better just to do it, than to talk about it too much, so to speak
Wayne (if I may), Be a man. Act like a man. Not a child-man like Don Draper — who I adore and am watching at this moment but as a woman wouldn’t touch w/ a ten foot pole. He’s a baby-man. All dressed up like a man with manly habits but the self control and desires no more noble than my 5 year old’s. Good luck. The grown up life is well worth the wait, but I think your time has come.
Well, my name’s Waylon, but I’m not picky. Yah, Don is a cool, stylish, confident man-child. Not an example to follow, unless you want to be wealthy, lonely, selfish and conflicted (and get laid frequently). I’m in a thing right now…and I’m trying my best…but I’m such an only child, such a bachelor, my best ain’t very good it seems. Growing up is hard to do!
[...] so I am watching the first season on Netflix. It’s our editor’s favorite show, and he wrote a commentary on bachelorhood with a link to a hilarious SNL skit which includes Mad Men’s star, Jon [...]
Kristof Reiter at 11:01pm January 10
You do a very good job of getting your message out. Much respect, keep it up! (Even if this article is not your pride and joy.)
Waylon, The “faucet” never gets turned off – you just don’t drink from it.
Patricia Bukur at 6:16am January 11
Miindful pick-ups?
Excellent! If I could write like this I would be well happpy. The more I see articles of such quality as this (which is rare), the more I think there could be a future for the Web. Keep it up, as it were.